The Colombian Defense Ministry has reported the deaths of four Colombian soldiers in a firefight with dissident members of a guerilla group, ahead of scheduled talks set to commence on September 18. These discussions aim to establish a formal bilateral ceasefire and determine a future date for broader peace negotiations, DW reports.
The guerilla faction in question, known as Estado Mayor Central (EMC), comprises former fighters from the disbanded FARC group who rejected the 2016 peace agreement. However, in April, the EMC agreed to engage in talks with the Colombian government.
The confrontation occurred in the Narino region, situated near the border with Ecuador and a significant hub for Colombia's coca cultivation. Colombia holds the distinction of being the world's leading producer of coca, the plant used in cocaine production.
Control over the highly profitable drug trade has fueled conflict within Colombia for decades, with various factions, including left-wing guerillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug cartels, and the state, all competing and clashing. President Gustavo Petro, a former guerilla group member, declared a ceasefire with all remaining militant factions at the close of 2022, following years of opposition to the 2016 peace process championed by his predecessor, Ivan Duque.
Nonetheless, in May, Petro terminated the ceasefire with EMC after members of the group killed four indigenous youths who resisted recruitment attempts. Petro's commitment to pursuing peace with the guerilla factions has garnered support from the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Ireland, and the Catholic Church. Nevertheless, experts remain skeptical about the level of control that EMC's veteran leaders exert over their younger recruits.
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